SJR-24

Designates February of each year as "Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month" in New Jersey.

NJEA supports SJR-24 (Codey). This joint resolution designates February of each year as “Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month” in New Jersey.

NJEA supports this legislation because it is an effort to promote awareness and increase prevention of teen dating violence.

The following statistics clearly illustrate the need for New Jersey to step up its efforts in preventing teen dating violence:

One in three female teens in a dating relationship have feared for their physical safety.

Nearly one in five teens who have been in a serious relationship said their boyfriend or girlfriend would threaten to hurt themselves or their partner if there was a breakup.

More than one in four teens have been in a relationship where their partner has verbally abused them.

One in five teens in a serious relationship report they have been hit, slapped, or pushed by a partner.

Twenty-nine percent of girls who have been in relationships said they have been pressured to have sex or engage in sex they did not want.

This resolution is intended to initiate the types of activities, conversations, and commitments necessary to address teen dating violence. It is an important step to protect our children and will promote their positive social and emotional development.